a day in San Diego
September 14, 2010 10:34 AM   Subscribe

Seeking suggestions for baby-friendly activities in San Diego (besides the zoo).

Mrs. gnutron, baby gnutron and myself are headed to San Diego this Thursday for a long weekend. We've never been there before. Saturday and Sunday are already booked with a trip to the zoo and visiting friends.

However, we have Friday completely free and not much inclination on what's out there. We'll have a rental car and we're staying in La Jolla. What's fun for parents and babies in San Diego? We like city-stuff and nature.
posted by gnutron to Travel & Transportation around San Diego, CA (6 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
If you're in La Jolla, there's the Birch aquarium.
Walking along the beaches is fun too. As is walking around the Torrey Pines park nearby.
posted by vacapinta at 10:40 AM on September 14, 2010


How about the Safari Park (previously known as the Wild Animal Park)? If you don't think you'll burn out on animals, that is. Plus it looks like they have a two-park discount pass for the Safari Park and the regular Zoo.

Balboa Park is lovely just to walk around. There are lots of museums, a carousel, and a short kids' train ride.

Have fun!
posted by killy willy at 11:02 AM on September 14, 2010


How baby is baby?

In La Jolla, I always go see the harbor seals. Please remember, when the tide is high the wave will crest on the sea wall. If baby is toddling, you'll want to hold on to her on the sea wall. The harbor seals are free and it's on a lovely stretch of beach.

I swam in the ocean last weekend without a wetsuit, but it's too chilly for a child. If you must swim in the ocean, La Jolla cove is generally some of the warmest water. Black's Beach is also warm water, but it's a very low key clothing optional beach. If that's a problem, then the cove is a good choice.

Balboa Park, Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach are all great for people watching. The Cabrillo lighthouse has a great view and the little one might like playing in the tidepools.
posted by 26.2 at 11:21 AM on September 14, 2010


Second the Harbor Seals. I am not from the area, but come down from La once in awhile and always enjoy the zoo of course, it is one of the best in the world I believe.
posted by silsurf at 11:35 AM on September 14, 2010


If you go to the Safari Park, then you're not too far away from the awesomely trippy sculpture garden, Queen Califa's Magic Cicrcle Garden.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 11:52 AM on September 14, 2010 [1 favorite]


Depending on how old baby is, and parents' level of interest + relative wealth (think Disneyland prices), go to Legoland California. They technically have an aquarium attached as well, but I can't vouch for it and would recommend the Birch over it any day. Carlsbad, which is the city Legoland's located in, has a decently (somewhat touristy and small) downtown with a nice pizza place, Pizza Port. It also has a nice beach (Carlsbad State Beach) that at this time of year is mostly tourist-free, has free parking, and a nice seawall to walk on.

The other bonus is, if you take Highway 101/Route 66/Coast Highway (whatever you want to call it), the trip from La Jolla to Carlsbad is quite nice and pretty much all beach views.
posted by librarylis at 7:22 PM on September 14, 2010


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